South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Impeached Over Martial Law

South Korea’s parliament on Dec 14 impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his stunning and short-lived martial law decree — a move that ended days of political paralysis but triggered an intense debate over Yoon’s fate, as jubilant crowds roared to celebrate another defiant moment in the country’s resilient democracy.

It was the second impeachment vote Yoon faced, after a similar vote last week failed.

The National Assembly passed the motion 204-85. Yoon’s presidential powers and duties were subsequently suspended and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the country’s No. 2 official, took over presidential powers on Dec 14 evening.

Protesters who have been backing Yeol’s impeachment celebrated near the parliament building after hearing the news, waving colorful light sticks and playing upbeat music, media reports said.

Many wore clothes decorated with Christmas decorations and Santa Outfits, as well as colorful K-pop light sticks normally reserved for concerts.

South Korea’s acting president has called for the country to maintain a “watertight readiness posture” to ensure North Korea cannot plan any provocations, local media quoted him as saying.

Duk-soo, the acting leader, ordered the military to bolster its security posture to prevent North Korea from launching provocations by miscalculation.

According to a statement, Han’s office tasked the foreign minister with informing other countries that South Korea’s major external policies remain unchanged and told the finance minister to work to minimize potential negative impacts on the economy by the political turmoil.

“I earnestly ask public servants this,” Han said in a televised statement. “At this moment, we have the critical task of ensuring normal and stable operations of state affairs … I ask you to carry out your duties without any neglect to ensure that the government is operated without being shaken.”

EU calls for ‘orderly resolution’ to resolve country’s political crisis

The European Union has called for a swift resolution to the political turmoil that has rocked South Korea since Yoon Suk Yeol attempted to impose martial law almost two weeks ago.

“The EU takes note of the decision by the National Assembly to impeach President Yoon Seok Yul. It is important now to ensure a swift and orderly resolution of the current political crisis in line with the Korean constitution,” EU spokesperson Anitta Hipper said in a statement.

“Isn’t it amazing that we, the people, have pulled this off together?” a protestor was quoted as saying as she danced on the streets following impeachment.

“I am 100 total certain the Constitutional Court will side with the impeachment.” she added.

On the other side of Seoul, near Gwanghwamun Square, police estimated that some 30,000 had gathered in support of the impeached president.